Javier: Castle, Basilica and Pilgrim Routes

Castillo de Javier was built in the 10th to 11th century as a defensive structure constructed on rock. In 1901, it was restored and converted into the house museum of Saint Francis Xavier. These two dates mark the transition from its origins as a defensive structure to its use as a museum and give the opening a clear historical profile.

When planning your trip, you can consider cultural sites, pilgrimage dates, routes of varying lengths and the cycling tour as separate focal points.

Culture

The Basilica of Javier was built between 1896 and 1901 in the eclectic style and combines elements of Romanesque, Gothic and Byzantine art. Its crypt contains the tombs of the Dukes of Villahermosa and the Goyeneche family. Saint Francis Xavier was baptised in the parish church of the Annunciation in Javier. The sequence of architectural style, burial place and baptismal history leads through different forms of religious and historical remembrance.

The present-day parish church of the Annunciation in Javier was restored in 1702 in the Baroque style. The Museum of Castillo de Javier preserves Spanish paintings from the 15th to the 20th century, a collection of 19th-century Japanese kakemono paintings and numerous historical documents. The altar of the temple in Javier is dominated by a Romanesque depiction of the Virgin Mary. Architecture, painting, Japanese art and documents each add their own cultural emphasis.

On the banks of the Aragón lies El Molinaz, a historic pointed-arch structure from the 15th century. El Molinaz is a mill from the 13th to 14th century that belonged at the time to the lords of Javier and the Jaso–Azpilicueta family. The two historical classifications present the architectural and historical facets of this site side by side.

Things to do

The Novena of Grace in honour of Saint Francis Xavier takes place from 4 to 12 March as a nine-day pilgrimage. The Javieradas are mass pilgrimages to Javier during Lent as part of the Novena de la Gracia. The two forms of pilgrimage differ in their time frame and the scale described for them.

An 8-kilometre section of the Way of St. James runs from Undués via Javier to Sangüesa. The Paseo del Molinaz leads to an old mill and is a 3.8-kilometre route. The different route lengths make it possible to compare the section of the Way of St. James with the Paseo del Molinaz. For your own daily planning, the routes can be considered as different forms of activity side by side.

Castelar is the highest point in Javier. It offers exceptional views across the entire surrounding area. The “Historia de un Reino” cycling tour in eastern Navarre leads, among other places, to Castillo de Javier, one of the region’s historic sites. Pilgrimage, the Way of St. James, a walk, a viewpoint and a cycling tour offer different ways to explore Javier’s cultural and scenic points of interest.

Other places: Lekunberri, Irurozqui, Aizpún, Gorraiz, Uterga, Dorrao, Mélida, Uztegi

To the higher-level travel overview: Navarre.